UCF Awarded $290,000 Contract to Archive Veterans’ Stories
A team of historians from the University of Central Florida (UCF) has been awarded a $290,000 contract by the National Cemetery Administration (NCA), a branch of the Department of Veterans Affairs, to document the stories of veterans buried at the Florida National Cemetery. This initiative aims to engage students in researching and preserving the legacies of these individuals for future generations.
UCF is one of three universities selected to participate in the NCA’s Veterans Legacy Program (VLP). Under the leadership of Amelia Lyons, an associate professor of history and director of graduate programs, the project will involve both undergraduate and graduate students in a variety of scholarly activities. These activities include researching veterans’ graves, crafting narratives, and collaborating with local schools to develop interactive curricula for K-12 students.
The project is not merely an academic exercise; it aims to foster community engagement by connecting students of all ages with the histories of veterans. Lyons emphasizes the value of this experience, stating, “This experience with primary research — from identifying the subject and stories to analyzing the sources to produce a narrative and becoming a published author — is like no other.” She adds that it helps students understand the role of historians in making history tangible and relevant.
Students have already begun to see the impact of their participation. Luke Bohmer, a graduate student, recently took part in a field research day at the cemetery. He noted, “It is vital to go to where the history is, whether it’s a cemetery or an archive. This is more humanizing and palpable than any statistic could ever be.” Similarly, undergraduate student Janelle Malagon expressed her enthusiasm for military history and the unique opportunity to uncover the individual stories of soldiers throughout American history.
The UCF research team, which includes digital historian Scot French and computer research specialist Amy Giroux, is also developing a corresponding website exhibit. This digital platform will feature a virtual mapping of their research and utilize UCF’s RICHES Mosaic Interface to create an accessible digital archive. A significant aspect of this project is the introduction of an augmented-reality app that will allow cemetery visitors to access student-authored biographies of veterans.
Students recognize how these digital components will enhance personal connections for families of veterans. Malagon highlighted that the app will enable relatives to learn about their veteran family members in a way that modern technology uniquely allows.
The Florida National Cemetery is one of 135 cemeteries managed by the VA. UCF researchers have started to integrate project-related assignments into their courses, allowing students from various classes to contribute to the research. Kristina Himschoot, an undergraduate with a military background in her family, noted, “The VLP is becoming more important to me every time I learn something new about it. I have the utmost respect for this project.”
As part of the initiative, graduate students in Professor Caroline Cheong’s Seminar in Historic Preservation course are identifying graves and photographing sites for digital inclusion. Students in Professor Barbara Gannon’s War and Society classes are also deeply involved, searching for documented histories of the veterans whose graves will be featured.
With the centennial of the United States’ entry into World War I approaching, Kenneth Holliday, a UCF student and U.S. Army veteran, believes the timing of this research is significant. “We are in the centennial of World War I. There is no better time to recognize the service of these veterans,” he stated.
The project will culminate in a kickoff event in May, where UCF students will engage with local middle- and high-school students at the cemetery. Holliday sees this interaction as essential, saying it provides a meaningful connection to the average individuals involved in historical conflicts. “Instead of remembering the major battles and the big names of military and political leaders, students and local residents can remember that at the heart of the conflict were average people that all of us can probably relate to in some way,” he explained.
Gannon, who coordinates UCF’s Veterans History Project, expressed that the university’s extensive engagement with veterans and history made securing funding for this initiative a logical step. The other institutions selected for the VLP are San Francisco State University and Black Hills State University.
Ronald Walters, interim undersecretary for memorial affairs at the VA, remarked, “The award of these three contracts signifies the VA National Cemetery Administration’s dedication and commitment to providing enhanced memorialization and lasting tributes that commemorate the service and sacrifice of veterans.”
As the VLP unfolds, it promises to not only preserve the stories of fallen heroes but also to educate and inspire a new generation about the sacrifices made by veterans. For further details on the Veterans Legacy Program, visit the official page on the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website.
